When do you begin to appreciate your work?

[MohaimenK]

Because I don't know when to start recognizing my work as "good". Seriously, I've started in the summer, you guys seen the worst of me and the best of me but I feel that the best of me is still not good enough. I've had people here tell me that some of my pix suck and I've improved and I've had people here tell me some of them are very good but after a few days, I think they're not anywhere as good as I want to be. It makes me push even further and I think that's the only way I'll move further, is to hate my work, so it'll end up pushing me more and more.

Well, here's to 2011! Some of us will move further, some will quit, some will create new ideas and some will just keep trying.

I'll be keep trying and hopefully create some new ideas along the way and still think I suck so I can push myself even further!

 

[ajkramer87]

I think that is part of the problem with photography. When you start to get serious about it there will always be stuff that you would of done different. Hopefully you dont push yourself to the point that you burn out with it.

 

[RauschPhotography]

I hear what you're sayin, Mo. I feel the same way about myself. The way I see it is, every picture is going to teach me something in the long run, no matter if it's good or bad. I always think I can do better, but I know that it'll all come in time.

 

[Compaq]

That's sort of a depressing thought, isn't it? I would believe that when you actually realize that "man, these photographs are actually pretty darn good" you would be happy to go out and take more good shots?

No?

Just me, then

(not that I have taken any good shots, though) ^^

 

[Boomn4x4]

Because I don't know when to start recognizing my work as "good".

That sentence can be applied to everything in your life. You wouldn't be human if you didn't always want to get better at something that is important to you. Once you become "good" at something... and it is no longer a challenge... you give it up. Its the motivation to improve that keeps us interested in it in the first place.

 

[KVRNut]

I think you start appreciating your own work when:
It touches someone. Ansel Adams once said that if you can touch somebody with your work once a year, then you're doing good.
You look at a print, wish you had done it, and then realize that you did do it.
People come up to you and ask to see your work or if you have anything new for them to see because they enjoy seeing your work or it excites them.
You're finished working on a print and the lab wants to display your work so that others can see the work their facility capable of doing.
It's good enough to frame and hang on your own walls. I have work done by people I've helped along the way hanging on my walls but my own work is tucked away in a portfolio. Sheesh!

Artists are, and will always be, their own worst critcs. That's a good thing in a way. It makes the photographic artist challenge them self to grow, to do better, to learn more.

 

[Boomn4x4]

I think you start appreciating your own work when:
It touches someone. Ansel Adams once said that if you can touch somebody with your work once a year, then you're doing good.

I disagree completly... For our Christmas cards this year my wife INSISTED we use a particular picture of my son... In my opioin, it was an aweful image, I would be embarassed to post it here for CC... but low-and-behold, I actually had people call me to tell me how beautiful of a picture it was, my aunt told me it made her cry. From the feedback I got, it certainly touched people... but that dosen't mean I appreciate my work any more. Just made me realize how many people don't have a clue what they are talking about with photography.

 

[nonamexx]

For me the subject, the opportunities are what keeps my interest alive in photography.

If I don't venture out of the house or visit only the same old places, I hardly get any inspiration to click pictures.

So I appreciate my work when I am able to take breathtaking scenery or something different from what I see every day.

There's a limit to taking self portraits or places inside or around the house or nearby. Especially if you live in a city with little scope for beautiful views outside your window.

 

[lyonsroar]

When I hand around a stack 5x7's of my "best" work to my family as Christmas presents and I get none back.
:thumbup:

 

[flea77]

I found that the more I do this, the less I think my work sucks and the more I know it sucks. Bummer

Allan

 

[ababysean]

I found that the more I do this, the less I think my work sucks and the more I know it sucks. Bummer

Allan

You know, I have to agree with this.
Sometimes I wish I never knew anything about photography and I could just go back to taking pictures that I *thought* were decent. It almost seems the more I try the $#!ier I get...

I wish I could just go back and be clueless about WB, and exposure and stop there, before I thought I knew what was needed to get good pictures from high priced glass to off camera flash (and yes, I know that it is not the gear, blah blah blah, but lets face it, the more we know, the more we want...)

...sigh...

 

[Overread]

 

[ababysean]

lol

 

[lildlege1]

I feel the same way !!! I can never get a good pic no matter what!!! I keep applying techniques and trying different things for different results but none of the results I get is what I was looking for so I go out and try again!! Then when I am getting frustrated I just give up till the next day. I run out of things to photograph around here also because you can only take so many photo's of trees, ground, and land!!! I live in the country so no more flowers till spring, no snow, and nothing interesting not even red birds any more!!!Ughhh!!
Well I sure hope that this year 2011, brings more and better photos to all of us. Keep shooting even though we are frustrated. Good Luck To All:thumbup:

 

[MohaimenK]

YouTube - Transform :: A short film for www.ScottKelby.com

haha thanks for the vid. Did you notice my "signature"? Guess where that came from?? :mrgreen:

I don't know, I guess if I wasn't this way, I'd be satisfied w/ my pictures the first day I took them. It also motivates me to learn new techniques and ideas. In the end I think it's a good thing I feel this way, for me to improve even further and I know I have A LOT to improve.